Love God Greatly: Empoweredنموونە

The church at Antioch continued to grow. Many prominent people of the city were believers and were spreading the gospel. Saul, formerly a Pharisee and a prominent leader among the Jews, was now a believer. Saul persecuted the church but Jesus stopped him, and Saul became a faithful follower of Christ (in today’s reading Saul begins to be referred to as Paul). ⁣

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When Saul persecuted the church, no one could have guessed he would eventually be a prominent leader in the church, leading many believers, preaching the gospel in faraway regions, and writing letters to many churches, letters included in our Bibles today. ⁣

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Saul was chosen by the Lord to lead His church. Even though his past was full of self-righteousness (Php 3:4-5), God still chose to use him. Even though he was adamantly against the spread of the gospel and actively persecuted the growing church (Ac 8-9; Php 3:6), God called him to a specific work. ⁣

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No matter our past, our upbringing, or our situation, God chooses to use us. He is no doubt using you today to spread His gospel and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those around you. ⁣

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Lord Jesus, thank You for the example of how You used Saul to spread the gospel and impact the church. Help me believe You have chosen and called me to a specific purpose. Help me spread Your gospel and Your truth with boldness and confidence, believing what You say about me. Amen.